The cannabis industry has momentum and continues to grow in 2023. The legal availability of medical and recreational marijuana has provided relief from physical and mental ailments, as well as a new way to relax and be social. For some, the possibility of obtaining cannabis from a nearby dispensary is a fantasy come true, so you want to make it as thrilling as your customers anticipate.
Vulcan Squad has been at the forefront of commercial and retail cannabis business design and construction, helping new and expanding businesses to create unique retail environments to showcase their products and welcome customers. Vulcan works with customers to create remarkable and engaging experiences, utilizing dependable and up-to-date technology and making sure each dispensary sticks to relevant local regulations.
The cannabis industry is experiencing a surge in growth and profits and looks to continue flourishing in 2023. With the number of businesses in the sector expanding, it’s essential to create a dispensary with a unique identity. Vulcan is here to help you from the start, ensuring that you have the most successful and efficient dispensary possible.
Compliance Matters
All businesses must abide by specific industry guidelines and compliance standards, but for cannabis businesses, compliance is of upmost importance. Cannabis laws vary from state to state, and municipality to municipality, so dispensary owners must carefully research the specific requirements in their municipality.
Vulcan Squad focuses on compliance standards for all our serviced areas and can help you do things right from the start. We can help you avoid needing to make revisions and costly changes to your design by setting you up for success from the start.
Centering Customer Experience
Crafting the perfect dispensary design involves more than just deciding on the right finishes – you have to take into account a myriad of factors, including various legal issues. As you move through the entire design and build process, it’s essential to bear in mind the customer experience. Every single element needs to be well-thought-out not only for its practicality, but also for how it will influence the customers.
With the cannabis industry developing rapidly, dispensaries are popping up left and right, and they’re having to battle it out to attract customers. It all comes down to the experience customers have in your store – if it’s inviting, pleasant and out of the ordinary, it’s likely they’ll come back and even be willing to pay more for a better selection, helpful staff, and an unforgettable shopping experience.
Leaving the customer with a good impression will bring them back again and again, and help you to earn a list of loyal regulars who support your business as you continue to grow. Some key features that we like to include to amp up the customer experience include:
- Displays throughout the dispensary
- Multiple points of contact with employees
- Sleak, easy to navigate entrances
- Ample room for browsing
Space & Location
Previously, cannabis shoppers were content to go to some lengths to access dispensaries, yet with more options now at their disposal, today’s buyers would much prefer something more convenient. Picking the most appropriate spot can be the key to the success of your business, particularly in urban areas. You want to make sure that your location is not so crowded with competitors that you get lost in the shuffle, but also a place where cannabis use is widespread.
Squad has had the opportunity to work with many dispensary owners, gathering key information that has informed the way we operate today. Our team can help you to find the right location for your dispensary, and choose a space that will fit the needs of your customers and business.
Security
As of this writing (March 2023) cannabis is still federally illegal and have very limited banking options. While some dispensaries are beginning to take credit and debit card payments, many are cash-only. After a day of sales, cash-only dispensaries may have thousands of dollars in cash. Additionally, many dispensaries offer an ATM on-site, another source of cash that is kept in the store itself.
With substantial amounts of money and marijuana in stock, dispensaries have, unfortunately, been the focus of criminal behavior and thievery.
To ensure their goods, profits, and staff remain safe, dispensaries require multi-faceted protection. This entails recruiting guards and offering personnel thorough seacurity education, as well as making safety a fundamental part of the dispensary’s overall design. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Alarms
- Secure Vaults
- Cameras
- Shatter-proof glass
Working with an Experienced Contractor
We can’t emphasize it enough: working with an experienced contractor will make your experience infinitely better.
We’ve helped top dispensaries become successful using purposeful, practical, and efficient design strategies developed over years of industry experience. Designing, building, opening, and running a dispensary requires the coordination of so many elements, and for many, the most difficult and mysterious part is the initial design and construction.
With the help of an experienced contractor like Vulcan, you can avoid the common missteps that new dispensaries make, purely due to inexperience. We can help you to navigate your local compliance requirements, create a cohesive design that fits your vision, suggest security measures to help you protect the business, and share our knowledge of the best practices, materials, resources, and more.
Demystify the design and construction process and get your dispensary off the ground faster with Vulcan Squad. Contact us today for more information, or start a job request to get the ball rolling!
